Think about a younger lady with a present for the performing arts, raised in a conventional Jewish dwelling in Maryland and feeling a profound calling to pursue rabbinical research. Social The Life-style Journal is honored to interview Rabbi Rebecca Keren Jablonski, recognized on Instagram as @myhotrabbi. On this interview, she shares her journey of embracing her non secular calling, discusses her work with Constructing Collectively: Constructing Relationships between Palestinians and Israelis, and displays on her household life and what it means to be a rabbi on this period. Moreover, Rabbi Jablonski explores how her coaching as an actor and performer at NYU’s Tisch Faculty of the Arts has performed a pivotal position in her journey. She can be an achieved creator, together with her memoir, Confessions of a Feminine Rabbi: Related Faith in an On-Demand World. Do you know Rabbi Rebecca Keren Jablonski has even hosted a podcast, Shalom In Your Cellphone (how cool is that)?
Meghan Forte: Are you able to share a bit about your journey to changing into a rabbi, significantly your private path via each Mesifta Adas Wolkowisk rabbinical seminary and NYU’s Tisch Faculty of the Arts?
Rabbi Rebecca Keren Jablonski: It’s laborious to sum up how an observant Jewish lady who used to dream of changing into a performer turned a rabbi in only a few sentences. In confession III of my memoir, Confessions of a Feminine Rabbi: Related Faith in an On-Demand World,I inform the complete story – however listed below are the cliff notes.
I grew up within the Maryland suburbs of Washington, DC. Proper after my very own bat mitzvah, I began working in Jewish training and prayer instruction. I taught and ready kids for his or her bar and bat mitzvahs (instructing Hebrew and the advanced cantillation system for Jewish scripture), however by no means thought that I would turn out to be a rabbi. I had no ladies Rabbis to look as much as, and I believed that position might solely be held by males. As a younger grownup, I used to be extra serious about changing into a performer than a member of clergy. Whereas learning drama at NYU’s Tisch Faculty of the Arts I met the award-winning, groundbreaking, and prolific Broadway composer and director, Elizabeth Swados. Swados forged me because the lead of a musical and we started an extended relationship engaged on performs and literary works, typically with Jewish content material. In my early twenties I nonetheless labored for a number of synagogues and households as a Hebrew instructor, b’nai mitzvah tutor, or lay chief of providers. With Swados’s steerage, I finally started to grasp I might let go of a few of my extra conventional beliefs. I stepped into my calling. I started researching rabbinical seminaries throughout the previous few weeks of Swados’ life, which was lower quick by most cancers. I requested the recommendation of many rabbis I had beforehand labored with and understood that Mesifta Adas Wolkowisk’s program, based mostly in New York, labored greatest for me.
Meghan Forte: What impressed you to create an “on-demand one-woman synagogue,” and the way do you see this mannequin reshaping the position of clergy in right this moment’s world?
Rabbi Rebecca Keren Jablonski: The necessity for on-demand facilitators of faith is what helped me form my rabbinate as a non-institutional rabbi. Whereas I’m the product of Jewish education and synagogue membership, in my early years of instructing in New York, I met many households who have been what I name “de-shuling,” leaving their synagogues due to a handful of causes. I discovered that the primary causes for leaving a shul (that’s Yiddish for synagogue and faculty) have been time, cash, irrelevance, or one thing traumatic that occurred to repel them from holding membership. The COVID-19 Pandemic exacerbated all of this, as for practically a yr, locations of worship closed their bodily doorways to members.
To dwell in New York Metropolis you need to be extraordinary, but temples typically cater to a standard denominator. Some synagogues don’t have a ton of flexibility as a result of they function with boards, insurance policies, and particular non secular second necessities. What if your loved ones didn’t match the basic mildew? Perhaps a baby had a studying problem or incapacity that made synagogue Hebrew faculty not an choice. Perhaps a household spent weekends in one other metropolis or state. Perhaps a household was present process a divorce or one mother or father wasn’t of the Jewish religion and subsequently felt unwelcome in a synagogue. I turned more and more conscious of the statistic that Jewish American enrollment in Hebrew faculty was down by practically 50% from the years 2006-2020. So, I used to be serious about those that determined that whereas Hebrew faculty didn’t work for them, they nonetheless needed to be Jewish and mark their lifecycle moments in a Jewish manner. I by no means inform any household to depart their home-base establishment. However for individuals who have left or are leaving and nonetheless want to have Jewish experiences, I can preserve them concerned.
Meghan Forte: You’ve officiated many life cycle occasions, from weddings to child namings. Is there a selected second or ceremony that has profoundly impacted you?
Rabbi Rebecca Keren Jablonski: One ceremony that I solely briefly point out in my memoir, Confessions of a Feminine Rabbi, was with a younger man who had profound bodily and developmental disabilities. For the sake of this story, let’s name him Steve. I used to be by no means given a precise prognosis by Steve’s mother and father and I by no means heard from any of his nurses as to why this boy wanted 24/7 support and care. Steve struggled with fundamental motor expertise and didn’t communicate clearly. His maturity stage at occasions was that of a bit boy and different occasions well beyond his years. He went to a college for disabled kids. Steve couldn’t totally specific himself with phrases however might sing alongside to any music on his iPad. After I taught for the household and led the bat mitzvah for his older sister, Steve’s mother and father seen how their son loved the service. Steve expressed to his mother and father he needed to have a prayer service when he turned 13. I used to be uncertain that Steve would be capable of take part on this custom, as he must sound out sophisticated phrases in Hebrew. However he longed to have fun this milestone and longed to be taught extra prayers. I started instructing him aurally, so he might be taught prayers and songs for a modified bar mitzvah service. Every week we went via the prayers he already knew and tried so as to add yet one more. We at all times checked in on what Jewish vacation was approaching or learn a narrative from the Jewish bible. Classes have been difficult for varied causes – we sat on the ground and the boy was surrounded by distracting toys and dolls that he would take breaks to point out me. His consideration was laborious to carry; typically he simply rolled round on the ground; typically he insisted on singing a single prayer 5 occasions as a substitute of shifting on to a brand new one. After solely 6 months of coaching, from his wheelchair, Steve and I led his bar mitzvah service collectively on a fantastically embellished bima (a non secular stage). There was not a dry eye in his congregation of household and pals. Individuals have been amazed to see this little one so glad and in a position to specific himself and his love of his faith via music– keep in mind he might barely specific his fundamental wants. It was all so shifting. Within the Jewish neighborhood, mother and father beam with satisfaction after their little one has a coming-of-age ceremony, like a bar mitzvah. Whereas most thought Steve would by no means be capable of take part on this custom, I used to be in a position to present him and his mother and father pleasure and satisfaction in his accomplishments. He had a beautiful time at his celebration as nicely. For the following yr, we had periods each Saturday afternoon. Each week, we’d re-do his total bar mitzvah ceremony, and be taught a brand new bible story or have fun holidays collectively. I continued my relationship with this household and I educated the youngest brother, who turned a Bar Mitzvah in 2023. My work with this household spanned 7 years, and I served the household on glad and tragic events. Working one-on-one, within the boutique manner that I do, was the explanation I might present this household with such unimaginable non secular experiences.
Meghan Forte: As somebody who works with synagogues and households globally, how do you navigate and mix numerous Jewish traditions and customs from completely different communities?
Rabbi Rebecca Keren Jablonski: Jews are usually not a monolith: we come from many areas of the world and maintain completely different practices if we’re European, Spanish or from Jap locations of origin. Typically, when working with a household that has a unique non secular or ethnic background from me (conventional Ashkenazi), I’ve to analysis melodies and rituals inside their group’s follow. Typically, nonetheless, I’ll meet a household with just one mother or father, grandparent or member that has a singular background. I inform folks on a regular basis that each household is an intermarriage of some type. For instance, I’m married to a Jewish man who’s from Australia however his mother and father have been raised in Jap Europe. My mother and father additionally got here from completely different backgrounds (my father was from an observant background and my mom was secular and had Israeli citizenship). Many households have an fascinating make-up: I’ve one pupil with a Pakistani/non-Jewish mother or father. I’ve one other pupil whose mom was Mexican and Catholic. I serve individuals who have a mother or father who has transformed however their grandparents are usually not Jewish. Being a clergy member within the trendy world calls for that I’m welcoming and versatile for all the members of our broader communities. As a result of I craft particular person providers for every household, every service can have parts that replicate their household’s distinctive make-up. For some, it might be prayers in one other language moreover English or Hebrew. For some, it means extra readings to make non-Jewish friends comfy. For a lot of with members of the family who are usually not Jewish, the household wishes all the Jewish conventional customs with adjusted explanations earlier than every prayer.
Meghan Forte: Your involvement in Constructing Collectively: Constructing Relationships between Palestinians and Israelis is notable. How do you method fostering dialogue and understanding in such a fancy and sometimes polarized house?
Rabbi Rebecca Keren Jablonski: With any problem, I flip to scripture and commandments to work my manner via. The Previous Testomony instructs us to “love thy neighbor” (Leviticus 19:18). By the way in which, the world’s most well-known former Rabbi, Jesus, preached and taught the identical to his followers. On the whole, Judaism’s texts promote a loving relationship with G-d, his folks, and all peoples. Israelis and Palestinians are neighbors and human beings, every deserving of dignity and love. After I come again to this fundamental precept, I see the necessity for optimistic interactions that may result in optimistic relationships and enterprise partnerships between Palestinians and Israelis.
Each peoples depend upon agriculture, dwell in the identical area, and maintain related issues. Each peoples harvest produce and promote to their markets. Constructing Collectively launched the 2 communities to allow them to share greatest practices and co-design an identical services to streamline their income. Constructing Collectively raises cash to reward prepared Israeli and Palestinian communities with all-expenses-paid factories to create a co-owned and co-branded product: date honey. This honey is bought within the USA, largely at religion establishments and universities. The income are break up between the 2 communities and enhance high quality of life on either side. As increasingly communities will see the upside of working collectively, this course of will increase to increasingly communities. By being an middleman and doing the work to seek out peaceable and prepared events from Palestinian and Israeli populations, Constructing Collectively is making an attempt to essentially have an effect on change within the Center East. Really nearly all of Palestinians and Israelis are reasonable and wish the perfect for one another. We assist facilitate a sensible effort.
Constructing Collectively’s board is equal elements Christian, Jewish, and Muslim. All members are devoted to creating the lives higher for the inhabitants of Israel and Palestine. Typically even board members don’t interpret present occasions in the identical manner. We aren’t a political group however see we each acknowledge our fortune and risk to assist. It doesn’t matter what, we’re neighbors and behave neighborly. We maintain house for one another’s experiences and attempt to have productive dialogue. Typically we comply with pause after we understand we’re happening a path with no decision. Extra typically, we’ve got a lot in frequent with our humanity. As leaders, we proceed to come back again to that.
Meghan Forte: With so many modifications in how folks connect with religion, particularly amongst youthful generations, how do you retain Judaism related and significant to the neighborhood?
Rabbi Rebecca Keren Jablonski: Firstly, I lead by instance, balancing my very own lifestyle as deeply Jewish however engaged in trendy life. Then I acknowledge that every scenario, household or particular person in entrance of me is exclusive and has their very own mishigas – idiosyncrasies which have introduced them to me. Religion is private, follow is private and I’ve to get to know the particular person(s) I’m working with. I additionally establish what practices or beliefs from the vastness of Judaism can be related to every cohort that I facilitate for. I lean into their pursuits and open the door to non secular thought and follow via that curiosity or thought. The remainder takes care of itself. Judaism is fascinating, enjoyable, musical and sophisticated. There may be at all times a manner in. Speaking with the usage of expertise and staying updated on developments and popular culture the way in which this technology communicates is so necessary. I textual content. I dm. I’ve a bit canine who goes in every single place with me. I’m a rabbi for this century, on this century.
Meghan Forte: How does your background within the arts from NYU affect your method to instructing, officiating, and neighborhood constructing?
Rabbi Rebecca Keren Jablonski: Anybody in a public going through job has to have public talking expertise. My coaching as an actor has helped me finetune this expertise. I’m additionally a rabbi that sings and reads music. I punctuate non secular occasions with musical parts, drawing from up to date Jewish composers in addition to historical melodies. I’ve working relationships with many musicians so as to add to the ambiance of any ceremony. I’m additionally conscious that whereas non secular ceremonies usually are usually not scripted, they observe an order that enables for improvisation and feeding off of an viewers. As a rabbi, I alter my phrases based mostly on every neighborhood I serve and their real-time suggestions. I’ve to be humorous and current – expertise I honed in my craft as a performer.
Meghan Forte: What recommendation do you might have for girls aspiring to management roles inside non secular communities, significantly in areas historically dominated by males?
Rabbi Rebecca Keren Jablonski: Girls can do all the pieces males can do, however not everybody desires that. Take dangers, break via, encourage as you need to, and know there are going to be many parishioners serious about your providing. Nonetheless, some won’t approve, and they’re as free to decide on as you might be. Be robust and courageous. Hear rigorously to clues from guides above that can show you how to craft your follow.
Meghan Forte: Are you able to speak about how your work in charity and advocacy intersects together with your position as a rabbi?
Rabbi Rebecca Keren Jablonski: It’s a Jewish command to interact in acts of justice and charity. Not solely rabbis should fulfill that command. However as a rabbi, I need to lead by instance. I’ve discovered causes that match my values like supporting veterans, cooking for the meals insecure, Israel advocacy, and Constructing relationships between Israelis and Palestinians via farming. My husband and I are members of varied arts organizations and museums and donate to most fundraisers which can be necessary to our community of family and friends. Donating or doing acts of charity throughout important milestones is a manner that my husband and I have fun as nicely. We had a charity venture in honor of our marriage ceremony and sometimes combine our birthday celebrations with causes for which we care.
As a rabbi, the folks I serve come to me for suggestions for charities to contain themselves with. Their distinctive pursuits and causes preserve me studying about extra organizations and methods to assist the larger world. Whether or not it’s with volunteering or fundraising, all of us have one thing to present and there are numerous worthy organizations to affix. Typically folks want inventive concepts to get began and I assist folks determine it out.
Meghan Forte: How has your private life, together with your relationship together with your husband, Ben, and your canine, Scout, formed your perspective as a rabbi and educator?
Rabbi Rebecca Keren Jablonski: Each rabbi I do know has an all-encompassing job with little or no time for private socializing. My canine, Scout, comes with me to almost all my appointments in every week, whether or not I’m instructing, assembly, learning or making an look for certainly one of my literary tasks. I’ve such lengthy days, I deliver frozen pet food with me that thaws over the course of my day and he eats his dinner on the go.
On the whole, as a result of being a rabbi is my life, I share my life and am susceptible with the households I serve. They make me cry and I make them cry. They know my hopes and emotions. As a result of I share my struggles and joys with them, they’ll do the identical with me. Conventional clergy often keep distance to maintain a sense of authority and gravitas of their communities. I lead with openness and informality. It’s my expertise that this method creates a hotter and extra religious surroundings for all.
My husband is an entrepreneur and leads a really busy life, as nicely. Continuously, evenings out with my husband are charitable occasions or certainly one of my shoppers’ lifecycle occasions. We each take pleasure in an opportunity to decorate up for a celebration, although are equally glad watching the information or a tv-series on the sofa late at evening. As a result of Ben believes what I do is necessary and I really feel equally about his work, we’re understanding of the calls for on our time. I’m extraordinarily fortunate that Ben loves Scout and can be amenable to Scout accompanying us on each trip – together with our mini-moon (at Sanctuary at Camelback Mountain in Scottsdale, AZ).
As a younger rabbi who maintains a busy follow, I had little or no time to dedicate to journey and relationships. Now that I’m married, I hope that, with the urging of my husband, I discover house for a extra balanced life.
Amid the realities of our ever-changing world, Rabbi Rebecca Keren Jablonski’s journey epitomizes the significance of following one’s coronary heart and instinct on a deeply private and religious path. By sharing her story, she emphasizes the importance of religion, grit, and openness to alter.
Along with her position as a rabbi, Rabbi Rebecca Keren Jablonski is a non-public educator, performer, creator, and entrepreneur. She understands the various hats a rabbi wears, serving people from varied walks of life each inside her temple and within the broader neighborhood. For the youthful readers, Rabbi Jablonski can be the creator of a kids’s e-book titled Dinotsaurus.
Thanks, Rabbi Rebecca Keren Jablonski, for shaping the lives of the following technology together with your religious teachings and serving others with kindness. We recognize your willingness to share an intimate glimpse into your journey.
Providers out there via Rabbi Rebecca Keren Jablonski’s web site embody Judaic Research and Hebrew Training, ceremony officiation, tutoring within the religion (together with conversion tutoring), and the creation of individualized prayer books for Bar or Bat Mitzvahs, weddings, or household occasions, incorporating private touches.
Jablonski is an alumnus of the Charles E. Smith Jewish Day Faculty, New York College’s Tisch Faculty of the Arts, and obtained semicha (rabbinic ordination) from the yeshiva Mesifta Adath Wolkowisk in New York.
Jablonski’s most up-to-date e-book, the memoir, Confessions of a Feminine Rabbi: Related Faith in an On-Demand World, is a compelling learn that shouldn’t be neglected.
Skilled Web site
Contact Kind to Rabbi Rebecca Keren Jablonski
Learn: Confessions of a Feminine Rabbi: Related Faith in an On-Demand World, out there on Amazon
Barnes and Noble Hyperlink for Confessions of a Feminine Rabbi: Related Faith in an On-Demand World
Web site for the kids’s e-book Dinotsaurus
Take heed to the podcast, Shalom in Your Cellphone , out there on Spotify
Rabbi Rebecca Keren Jablonski’s Instagram Profile Tik TokProfile
